
Experience the rich and aromatic flavors of Southeast Asia with this hearty Laksa. A creamy coconut curry broth is packed with tender roasted chicken, succulent shrimp, and savory tofu puffs for the ultimate comfort meal.
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Season the chicken thighs with salt and pepper, then place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Bake for 40 minutes until the skin is crispy and the chicken is cooked through. Set aside to cool slightly.
While the chicken is roasting, heat 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and ginger, sautéing for 1 minute. Stir in the minced lemongrass and Thai chilies, and cook for another 3 minutes until highly fragrant.
Add the laksa paste and brown sugar to the pot. Fry for 3 minutes, stirring constantly to let the flavors meld. Pour in the chicken stock, coconut milk, and fish sauce. Bring the mixture to a boil.
Add the soy puffs to the boiling broth. Reduce the heat, cover the pot, and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes so the puffs can absorb the flavorful liquid.
Prepare the noodles according to the package instructions. If using fresh hokkien or vermicelli noodles, rinse them in warm water. Divide the prepared noodles among four large soup bowls.
Shred the cooked chicken meat and skin. Distribute the chicken among the bowls. Pour any juices from the roasting pan into the simmering broth to capture all the flavor.
Taste the broth and adjust the seasoning. Add lime juice for acidity and more fish sauce (or salt) for saltiness until the flavor is balanced to your liking.
Toss the thinly sliced shallots in flour until lightly coated. In a separate pan, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and fry the shallots until golden and crispy. Remove the shallots, then sear the shrimp in the same oil until just pink and opaque.
To assemble, ladle the hot broth and soy puffs over the noodles and chicken. Top each bowl with cooked shrimp, fresh bean sprouts, cilantro, and the crispy fried shallots. Serve immediately with extra lime wedges.
For a shortcut, you can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken. If soy puffs are unavailable, fried firm tofu cubes are a great substitute. To control the spice level, remove the seeds from the Thai chilies before mincing.